Sunday, July 29, 2012

Sunday Salon and an Early July in Review


Hello Blog Readers! Can I say I am feeling good about my decision to post less frequently from now until Labor Day, and the Sunday Salon seems like the perfect way to catch up on how my week went. You can find out more about Sunday Salon HERE.

New Books -
Books Read ( 2-3 weeks) - ( a few mini reviews)
  • The Healing; Jonathan O'Dell - 4.5/5 (loved this book and fabulous on audio as well)
  • Snow Angels; Stewart O'Nan (3.5/5 stars - story, especially on audio, is very depressing)
  • Drop Dead Healthy; A.D. Jacobs (3.5/5 stars - fun at times, but I had some issues with this one)
  • The Stand; Stephen King (4.5/5 stars - haven't done a post for the Stand-along but I have finished the book and liked it a lot) 
  • So Cold the River; Michael Koryta - 4/5 (audio)- no review yet
  • Translation of the Bones; Francesca Kay - 4.5/5 (no review yet)
On the Home Front -
  • Our little granddaughter is (3) months old already. Babbling; cutest expressions when you speak to her; great head control; strong legs (likes to stand and sit with support). Watched her twice for (9) hours over the last month --- I know why young women have babies -- tiring -- I had a (2.5 hour nap the day after).
  • Friends from PA are visiting this weekend. They arrived late, but did go out to dinner and have some plans for tomorrow with them as well.
  • Work -- my favorite part is my (1) hour lunch for reading and (30 min) break for walking, and my favorite day is Friday..... enough said about that.
Plans for this week - 
July in Review - July was my best month in a long time for most books read.  I attribute that to the fact that I started listening to audio books at work and while walking. Less time on the computer helped as well.

Favorite Book for July
  1. Big Cat, Small Cat; Ami Rubinger - 4/5 (eBook)
  2. Six-Dinner Sid; Inga Moore - 5/5 (Library)
  3. Sneakers, the Seaside Cat;  Margaret Wise Brown - 4/5 (Library)
  4. One Foot Two Feet: An Exceptional Counting Book; Maloney and Zekaukaus - 5/5
  5. The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye; Yalon  - 5/5 (Library)
  6. Northwest Corner; John Burnham Schwartz - 4/5 -  (HC - my shelf)
  7. The Stand; Stephen King - 4/5 (eBook) (eBook)
  8. In One Person; John Irving - 4/5 
  9. A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty; Joshilyn Jackson - 5/5 
  10. Gold; Chris Cleave - 4.5/5 (eGalley)  
  11. The Healing; Jonathan O'Dell - 4.5/5 (audio and eGalley)
  12. Snow Angels; Stewart O'Nan - 3.5/5 (audio) 
  13. Drop Dead Healthy; A.J. Jacobs - 3.5/5 (audio) 
  14. Translation of the Bones; Francesca Kay -4.5/5  (eBook) no review yet
  15. So Cold the River; Michael Koryta - 4/5 (audio) no review yet
 2012 - Update
  • I joined (7) challenges for 2012 and have completed (4) -- the other (3) seem on track for completion as well.
Have a good week everyone.
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24 comments:

  1. Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooksJuly 29, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    I had missed the news about your granddaughter - congratulation to you! You're (both) so fortunate that you live close enough to be able to spend time with her .... enjoy!

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  2. HarveeJuly 29, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    I liked reading about your variety of books. I have only one of them and I have not yet read it - Gold. Am watching the games as well so it should be a timely book to start soon.

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  3. Brian's Home BlogJuly 29, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    Goodness, you sure look darn busy to me! Big Cat, Small Cat has to be good!

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  4. KayeJuly 29, 2012 at 9:28 AM

    Glad to hear you are doing well and spending less time on computer. I'm trying to do that too.
    Happy to see your opinion on A Grown up Kind of Pretty. That's been on my list for ages.

    Hope the weather is cooperating and you are truly enjoying your summer.

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  5. BarbaraJuly 29, 2012 at 12:47 PM

    Between the Olympics, getting prepared for chemo, and keeping up with my blog, etc., I'm finding less and less time for reading and I hate that. Oh well, at least I feel good now and I have several good books awaiting my free time.

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  6. Marcia von It's the love story of a girl and a bookJuly 29, 2012 at 2:57 PM

    OMG I love your Blog :) Maybe you would like to visit also mine ;)

    Greetings from Germany :)

    http://www.teabooksandfairytales.blogspot.com

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  7. bermudaonionJuly 29, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    I can tell you're enjoying your precious granddaughter! I met Sophie Hannah last week and she is just delightful!!

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  8. StaciJuly 29, 2012 at 4:43 PM

    Isn't it funny how wiped out you were??? Remember when yours were little!! I bet she's so much fun and it's amazing that she's already 3 months old!! I need to get my tush up and start walking in the morning and listening to audio. Especially because I have a ton of books from audible right now! I have a copy of your fave book from July so that makes me happy!! Enjoy your Sunday!

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  9. Yvonne @ Fiction Books ReviewsJuly 29, 2012 at 6:22 PM

    Hi Diane,

    It is fantastic that you are able to enjoy spending so much time with your grand-daughter, you should definitely cherish the moments, as they grow up all too quickly these days.

    I have seen some great reviews of your 'book of the month' and it is already on my reading list.

    I liked the sound of most of your new books, although I don't think that 'The Consequences Of Love' is one I would enjoy.

    You really sound as though you are relishing your time off from blogging quite so often, quite relaxed and refreshed.

    Speak to you again soon,

    Yvonne

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  10. SusanJuly 30, 2012 at 12:42 AM

    You had an excellent month for reading! Wow! and I'm so glad you enjoyed The Stand so much. Yaay! One of my favourite King books, very good though not the scariest.

    I like how you describe your favourite time at work. That's mine too!!! lol

    happy reading and I hope you have a good week, Diane.

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  11. CarolJuly 30, 2012 at 7:16 AM

    Hi Diane, Thank you for visiting my blog and for your kind words of support! I am so happy to have followed you back to your blog. I am very amazed and envy your time to read!! Your salon sounds fabulous. I look forward to scrolling around and exploring your great blog. Best, Carol

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  12. mpartykaJuly 30, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    Your week sounds lovely, the grandchild, friends, reading, etc... Great news about finding time to walk and listen! Until July I had taken a break from audiobooks for a few months, but I made up for that in July (listening to a few).

    So Cold The River: I actually stopped reading this book, DNF... with less than 100 pagese to go! So I'm curious to read your review and see what I missed.

    Have a wonderful week!

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  13. ZibileeJuly 30, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    It does sound like you had a great July in reading, and I am glad that your new blogging plan is working for you! It's also nice that you got to spend some quality time with your granddaughter. I love babies!

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  14. TiJuly 30, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    The baby thing is tiring because you are always "on" and ready to deal with every sigh and whimper.

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  15. Sheila (Bookjourney)July 30, 2012 at 6:43 PM

    I am so behind on my months in review... I think the last time I did it was March. Yikes!

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  16. JoAnnJuly 30, 2012 at 7:48 PM

    Sounds like you definitely made the right decision to scale back on blogging for the summer... so many exciting things happening in your life! July was probably my worst reading month ever, but I am enjoying North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. Have also downloaded A Grown Up Kind of Pretty to my ipod - can't wait!

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  17. JoAnnJuly 30, 2012 at 7:49 PM

    P.S. I LOVE your new header photo!

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  18. JennersJuly 30, 2012 at 9:35 PM

    What an efficient post!! I agree that babies are tiring!! I needed a nap every single day when my son was young. I'm sure the break was much appreciated.

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  19. AnonymousJuly 30, 2012 at 10:40 PM

    I'm amazed at how much you've achieved, and still have time for your beautiful granddaughter, friends and work. Have a wonderful August and enjoy your reading! BTW, that's a beautiful header pic. Just like to know where that is. ;)

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  20. AlyceAugust 1, 2012 at 1:23 PM

    Lots of reading and reviewing there! I've been taking a few days here and there off from blogging. I think most people ease off in August though, but especially with the Olympics going on too. Lots of great events to watch! :) Babies are so much fun! My sisters-in-law have little ones that I can spend time with to get my baby fix, and it's enough to make me remember why my two are just the right amount of kids for us.

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  21. AnonymousAugust 2, 2012 at 4:49 PM

    July was also my best month. Here is my wrap up, with 14 books: http://wordsandpeace.com/2012/08/01/july-wrap-up/

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  22. AmusedAugust 2, 2012 at 4:56 PM

    Wow, now you have had one amazing reading month!

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Thanks for taking the time to visit and double thanks for any comments. If you ask a question in your comments, I will try to reply to it here, or by email if your settings allow me to do so. Thanks again for visiting.


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